Hendersonville Family Medicine Residency Program to expand

Published: Saturday, June 8, 2013 at 1:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, June 7, 2013 at 5:41 p.m.

The medical residency program in Henderson County is getting a boost in multiple ways.

The Hendersonville Family Medicine Residency Program is increasing its numbers from nine doctors up to 12 through a grant from the Affordable Care Act. Residents are doctors who have have received a medical degree and are now practicing under the supervision of a physician.

The program is also undergoing a change that should make it more appealing for doctors around the country, said Geoffrey Jones, the program’s director. The program will now be collaboration between Pardee Hospital, Blue Ridge Community Health Services and the Mountain Area Health Education Center.

In the past, residents did their work at Pardee, but now BRCHS will also be a teaching center. The residents are provided through MAHEC.

“We think this is a win-win situation for us,” Jones said.

With millions of newly insured Americans coming into the health care system next year, there will be a shortage of professionals to serve, Jones added. The expansion of the residency program could help increase the number of doctors in the county.

Adding BRCHS to the fold makes the program even more appealing, he said.

“It’s a big draw for applicants to come where health centers are a part of the training,” Jones said.

The benefit of becoming a teaching site for BRCHS is also “easier recruiting,” said Dr. Shannon Dowler, BRCHS medical director. Once the students are exposed to working in the health centers, it makes it easier to sell the jobs to them upon graduation, she added.

“This will be the first time we’re teaching 24/7,” Dowler said. “Everyone’s really excited about the opportunity. “

MAHEC’s job in the program is simply education, patient care and community outreach. BRCHS will add to the teaching numbers as the program is implemented in their center. BRCHS has also taken over responsibility for Hendersonville Family Health Center, which is the outpatient clinic for the residency program. It was previously ran by Pardee.

“Our biggest work ahead of us is blending our culture of teaching and our culture of service,” Dowler said.

This will only strengthen the health care available to residents in Henderson County, Jones added.

“The ultimate goal is to provide high quality education and excellent health care,” he said. “This is a good opportunity to solidify that.”

<p>The medical residency program in Henderson County is getting a boost in multiple ways. </p><p>The Hendersonville Family Medicine Residency Program is increasing its numbers from nine doctors up to 12 through a grant from the Affordable Care Act. Residents are doctors who have have received a medical degree and are now practicing under the supervision of a physician. </p><p>The program is also undergoing a change that should make it more appealing for doctors around the country, said Geoffrey Jones, the program's director. The program will now be collaboration between Pardee Hospital, Blue Ridge Community Health Services and the Mountain Area Health Education Center. </p><p>In the past, residents did their work at Pardee, but now BRCHS will also be a teaching center. The residents are provided through MAHEC. </p><p>“We think this is a win-win situation for us,” Jones said. </p><p>With millions of newly insured Americans coming into the health care system next year, there will be a shortage of professionals to serve, Jones added. The expansion of the residency program could help increase the number of doctors in the county. </p><p>Adding BRCHS to the fold makes the program even more appealing, he said.</p><p>“It's a big draw for applicants to come where health centers are a part of the training,” Jones said.</p><p>The benefit of becoming a teaching site for BRCHS is also “easier recruiting,” said Dr. Shannon Dowler, BRCHS medical director. Once the students are exposed to working in the health centers, it makes it easier to sell the jobs to them upon graduation, she added. </p><p>“This will be the first time we're teaching 24/7,” Dowler said. “Everyone's really excited about the opportunity. “</p><p>MAHEC's job in the program is simply education, patient care and community outreach. BRCHS will add to the teaching numbers as the program is implemented in their center. BRCHS has also taken over responsibility for Hendersonville Family Health Center, which is the outpatient clinic for the residency program. It was previously ran by Pardee. </p><p>“Our biggest work ahead of us is blending our culture of teaching and our culture of service,” Dowler said.</p><p>This will only strengthen the health care available to residents in Henderson County, Jones added.</p><p>“The ultimate goal is to provide high quality education and excellent health care,” he said. “This is a good opportunity to solidify that.”</p><p>Reach Millwood at 828-694-7881 or at joey.millwood@blueridgenow.com.</p>